Ephesians 6:12

Ephesians 6:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
• New International Version (NIV)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Context of Ephesians 6:12

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:12 word by word

ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις.Read the interlinear

• struggleπάληpalē · struggleG3823
• is not againstπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• and bloodαἷμαaima · bloodG129
• the rulersἀρχήarchē · beginningG746
• the powersἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• worldκοσμοκράτωρkosmokratōr · world powerG2888
• of thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• darknessσκότοςskotos · darknessG4655
• spiritualπνευματικόςpneumatikos · spiritualG4152
• of wickednessπονηρίαponēria · evilG4189
• the heavenlyἐπουράνιοςepouranios · heavenlyG2032

Cross-references for Ephesians 6:12

• Luke 13:24“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
• 1 Corinthians 9:25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
• 2 Timothy 2:5And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,
• Matthew 16:17And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 15:50Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
• Galatians 1:16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
• Ephesians 1:21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
• Ephesians 3:10so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
• Romans 8:38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
• Colossians 2:15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
• 1 Peter 3:22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
• Ephesians 2:2in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
• Job 2:2The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.”
• Luke 22:53While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
• John 12:31Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

Commentaries on Ephesians 6:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood - ̔ ̔ ̔ · Our wrestling or contention is not with men like ourselves: flesh and blood is a Hebraism for men, or human beings. See the note on Galatians 1:16. The word implies the athletic exercises in the Olympic and other national games; and was the place in which the contenders exercised. Here it signifies warfare in general. Against principalities - · Chief rulers; beings of the first rank and order in their…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For we wrestle - Greek, “The wrestling to us;” or, “There is not to us a wrestling with flesh and blood.” There is undoubtedly here an allusion to the ancient games of Greece, a part of the exercises in which consisted in wrestling; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. The Greek word used here - ́ palē- denotes a “wrestling;” and then a struggle, fight, combat. Here it refers to the struggle or combat which the Christian has to mainrain - the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-18Verses 10-18 Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace; and put on the whole armour of God, which he prepares and bestows. The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Believers should not see other people as their enemies. Instead, their opposition comes from spiritual evil in the unseen world. Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21–22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Greek, "For our wrestling ('the wrestling' in which we are engaged) is not against flesh," &c. Flesh and blood foes are Satan's mere tools, the real foe lurking behind them is Satan himself, with whom our conflict is. "Wrestling" implies that it is a hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot struggle for the mastery: to wrestle successfully with Satan, we must wrestle with God in irresistible prayer like Jacob (Ge 32:24-29; Ho 12:4). Translate, "The…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 6:12

• Armor
• Darkness
• Satan
• Soldiers
• Wrestling

In the dictionaries

• Flesh and Blood
• Daemon
• Nurture
• Obey
• Provoke
• War
• Wrestle
• Allegory
• Angel
• Armor; Arms

Commentaries on Ephesians 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings